Ramen King 2 adds Chinese ramen and noodle scissors to booming North Hills Asian food scene

I couldn’t be more grateful for the recent opening of Ramen King 2 which has brought unique Chinese ramen to the North Hills (delighting my kids in the process) while elevating an already rising tide of Asian cuisine in the area.

When I moved to McCandless in 2019, I hoped to find a variety of high-quality family-owned Asian restaurants like I’d had in south suburban Denver, where there’s an embarrassment of riches. I had my go-to Chinese joint with the fresh, killer lo mein and their miraculous Xiao Long Bao. I had my Korean BBQ joint just up the road, the fantastic Ramen place that was only a train ride away, and Pho 4 U, my favorite 10-minute drive that ended in a bowl of brisket and noodles accompanied by a fistful of basil, fresh jalapenos, and crunchy bean sprouts. I needed to scout out some great places, but when you’re new to an area and your neighbors don’t grasp how fussy you are about food, you may wind up with some not-so-hot recommendations and the occasional upset stomach.

For example, the Chinese place that was closest to me, Ting’s Kitchen (which is now closed, and has since become the home of Wei Lai Dim Sum), came highly recommended, but when it came to flavor and freshness, it was a five out of 10 at best. Another neighbor suggested I travel to Squirrel Hill for the best Asian food, which I did — and deeply enjoyed — but the trip was too far for me to make a habit of it.

Those early days were sad, indeed. But as I got to know the area, and as new restaurants sprouted up, my Asian food options in the North Hills got significantly better. I discovered Kawa Sushi, that perfect little Hibachi gem, tucked away in Allison Park by the DMV. Nicky’s Thai Kitchen on Mt. Nebo was another wonderful discovery, especially with its beautiful outdoor space. Chengdu Gourmet II opened in nearby Ross in 2022. And, most notably, two fantastic Asian restaurants opened in McIntyre Square in 2024. The most recent, Ramen King 2, opened its doors in October. With its close proximity to the delightful Wei Lai Dim Sum, I feel spoiled for choice. Ramen King 2 specializes in authentic Chinese ramen dishes (also known as lamian), emphasizing quality ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. Their menu features flavorful noodle soups, noodle plates, bao, crunchy dumplings, and so much more.

Lanzhou noodle soup, a northern Chinese specialty, looks similar to Japanese-style ramen. However, there are some notable differences. Lanzhou noodle soup is characterized by its hand-pulled noodles and clear, savory beef broth. Ramen typically uses alkaline-water-treated noodles and a wider variety of broth bases, such as miso, soy sauce, or tonkotsu. And, since I can taste the slow-cooked flavor of the broth in every bite, Lanzhou noodle soup is now a personal favorite.

Did I mention this place also passes the vibe check with flying colors? Because it absolutely does. The art at Ramen King 2 is colorful and inviting, and the light is bright and appealing. There are several seating options, but the one that works best for my family is the round booth. I can easily sandwich my wiggly kids into one so they can’t escape during dinner. The most unique thing is the big TV by the front door that plays, on a loop, a video of Shaq in a chef hat making hand-pulled noodles.

The best part of the experience, of course, is the variety of amazing food. My family and I have only sampled a fraction of the menu and have nothing but high praise for every item we’ve tried.

My fussy foodie daughter, age 10, is gaga for the noodle soup as well as the dumplings, edamame, and noodle plates. Because the noodles are hand-pulled, Ramen King’s staff offers “noodle scissors” to patrons to clip the noodles to a reasonable length. For my daughter, this tool adds another layer of fun to the experience.

For me, the crispy dumplings are comparable to those at Everyday Noodles in Squirrel Hill. The noodle soup stands out for its unique beef broth, a comfort on cold, rainy days. And the bao is just as good as Wei Lai, so I don’t wind up with a case of dumpling FOMO. Plus, all of the sauces are simply delightful.

The North Hills’ Asian food renaissance will continue to blossom, or so I’m told. Shabu Shabu Hot Pot was supposed to open at McCandless Crossing late last year, and there still seems to be hope that it will happen soon, but we will see. Little Viet Kitchen recently opened in Pine Creek Plaza, and so far has nothing but five-star reviews. Eiwa Ramen on McKnight is still on my radar, and I’ll make it a point to stop (once the construction traffic becomes less of a McNightmare).

If you’re living the suburban mom life in the North Hills like me, you no longer have to travel far to enjoy delicious, authentic Asian cuisine.